Page 176 - Speedhorse May 2019

No Racing In South Dakota
There will be no racing in South Dakota for the first time in decades. Fort Pierre Racetrack announced they would host no races in 2019 and two weeks later on April 9 it was announced that Brown County Fair in Aberdeen would close as well. State legislators recently approved $120,000 over two years for racing, but the funds were not enough to keep the industry afloat. Previously, the state House rejected legislation to create a revenue stream for horse racing by taxing out-of- state companies that take online wagers on horse racing from South Dakota residents. “We are hopeful and remain optimistic that in the future perhaps there will some new form of funding or a type of private investor who would be willing to help the industry get going again,” stated Northeast Area Horse Racing (NAHR) president Robert ‘Bubby’ Haar.
Salard Named LQHBA Executive Director
Bruce Salard has been named the Executive Director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA), replacing the position vacated by Tony Patterson. Salard has an extensive financial background and is pas- sionate about horseracing in his home state.
NM Gov. Replaces Racing Commission
According to the Paulick Report, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham replaced the Racing Commission with five new appoin- tees after the previous commission repeatedly delayed a vote to award the state’s sixth and final license for a racino. The delayed vote was based on a feasibility study, which cast doubt on one of the proposals. The study is the subject of a chal- lenge pending in district court, which prompted the Attorney General to tell the Commission in January to hold off selecting a winning applicant until the challenge was resolved – and the
office threatened to withdraw as legal counsel overseeing the licensing. The new commis-
sion is comprised of former commissioners Beverly Bourguet and David ‘Hossie’ Sanchez, and breeders/owners John Buffington, Freda McSwane and Billy G. Smith.
Remington Stewards Issue Fines For 24-Hour Treatment Violation
According to the Paulick Report, ten months after a veterinarian was seen treating horses within 24 hours of race time, Remington Park stewards on April 15 fined Dr. Joe Hadley Whiting $6,000 for failing to report treat- ment within 24 hours of a race and failing to maintain medical records as per Oklahoma rules; and trainer Clint Crawford was fined $4,000 and trainer Tyler Crawford $2,000
for failing to know medication rules and their horses’ medication status. All three pled guilty and waived their right to a hearing. Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission executive Kelly Cathey said post-race drug tests on three of the Crawford horses came back with no violations. Clint Crawford was the leading Quarter Horse trainer at Remington Park in 2018.
Justice of the Student Court. He moved to McClelland Air Force Base in California, where he was commissioned a USAF-JAG captain, and he had a distinguished career
as an attorney. Linebaugh was general counsel for Terracor, which developed the community of Bloomington, Utah, where
he named the streets after great racehorses, including the Man O’ War Bridge that
spans the Virgin River. Linebaugh had a lifelong love of Quarter Horses and raised and owned horses for nearly six decades, including multiple stakes sire Dashing Cleat. Linebaugh was also a founding mem-
ber of the Intermountain Quarter Horse Association. He is survived by his wife Sherron, four children, 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.
L.R. Pat Thompson Passes Away
Multiple Champion trainer L.R. Pat Thompson, 91, passed away on April 24. Thompson grew up in Nebraska, where he rodeoed as a youngster. A graduate from Cal Poly who served in the military, Thompson worked at several ranches and was encouraged to work with Walter Merrick, which he did for several years before becoming a fulltime trainer in the 40’s. His first owner was Jack Casement, a founder
of the AQHA, and their first good racehorse together was stakes winner Alfaretta. Thompson was also the trainer of 2-time Champion
She Kitty and Champion Little Chloe, out
of Alfaretta, and he owned AQHA Show Champion/multiple Show Champion sire Wiggy Bar. In the early 70’s, he bought Jet Threat from Bud Warren. The son of Jet Deck won several races and then earned points in several disciplines to become the 31st AQHA Supreme Champion (see pages 160-161). In 2019, Thompson and Jet Threat were inducted into the Rocky Mountain Hall of Fame. “My dad was my hero,” said son Tim. “He was a winner in life, on the racetrack, and in the arena.” Thompson is survived by his wife Lorraine, sons Tim and Taylor, many grand- children and other family members and friends.
174 SPEEDHORSE, May 2019
Dominic ‘Bud’ Alessio Passes Away
Longtime Quarter Horse breeder and owner Dominic ‘Bud’ Alessio passed away on April 2 at the age of 77. Alessio served as President of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association (PCQHRA) Board of Directors since 1993. Under his watch,
the PCQHRA managed the Los Alamitos Equine Sale and introduced major Quarter Horse racing events in the state. His father, John, established the precursor of today’s Pick 6 and Trifecta. Bud, his brothers and brother-in-law owned and operated Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs and were the overseer of the first All American Futurity won by Moon Lark in 1978. He will be
long remembered for assisting California’s Quarter Horse racing industry. Alessio
is survived by his wife Katherine, four children, six grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Kent Linebaugh Passes Away
Kent Linebaugh, 84, passed away on April 14 due to an aggressive skin cancer. Linebaugh graduated from the University of Utah College of Law where he was the Chief
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